TV actress Shilpa Shinde, who became a household name, thanks to her stint in Bhabi Ji Ghar Par Hai, has filed an FIR against the producer of the show, Sanjay Kohli, for sexual harassment.

The FIR, a copy of which is with mid-day, was filed at Waliv police station in Vasai. “In the past year, I battled depression and medical issues. I spoke out since it was getting to me. I know many women from the industry are afraid to speak up, but I want to, on their behalf.”

Shilpa, who was part of the show for over a year, claims in her FIR that Sanjay would call her “sexy”, hug her forcefully and touch her waist and breasts. “Once make-up man Pinku Patwa saw him harassing me. Pinku was sacked the next day. When I spurned his advances, he sacked me from the show,” says Shilpa.

Shilpa says she had a tough time filing the case. “I went to the police station thrice this week with my lawyer. The cop, Mahesh Patil, was indifferent and insensitive.”

“We don’t know why she is doing this after one year. We don’t want to comment on it, and don’t want to give more publicity to this. We will reply to this in a legal manner. Her case is still going on in High Court. We will do whatever is legally correct,” Binaifer Kohli told.

Binaifer rubbishes her claims. “We’ve a strong case against her for the damages she caused; that figure runs into crores. But I have full faith in the judiciary; we will see her in court.”

The show made headlines last year when Shilpa objected to the exclusivity clause in her contract and accused the makers of mental torture. As a result, she even quit the show abruptly, following which the producers sued Shilpa for Rs 12.5 crore for the losses they had incurred because of her absence. According to sources, the production house owes Shilpa Rs 32 lakh.